Strawberry plant named ‘Premier’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘PREMIER’. This new strawberry plant named ‘PREMIER’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its medium red fruit color; large fruit size; conical to ovate fruit shape; large calyx; medium sized plant; medium to dark green foliage color; medium sized foliage; short fruiting trusses; and strong pubescence of the fruiting truss.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘PREMIER’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘PREMIER’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2001 between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-1269’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-3003’ (unpatented) in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa. The new variety is distinguished from its parents primarily in fruit color.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Ventura County, Calif. in the fall of 2003. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in a nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Ventura County, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘PREMIER’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary winter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from October through December. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to maintain fruit quality during the fall production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PREMIER’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Medium red fruit color;     -   2. Large fruit size;     -   3. Conical to ovate fruit shape;     -   4. Large calyx;     -   5. Medium sized plant;     -   6. Medium to dark green foliage color;     -   7. Medium sized foliage;     -   8. Short fruiting trusses; and     -   9. Strong pubescence of the fruiting truss.

The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ is ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597). In comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-2880’, the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597) 1. Color of mature fruit Medium red Red 2. Average fruit weight (gm) 24.7 20.7 3. Predominant fruit shape Conical to Conical to wedged ovate 4. Marketable yield (gm/plt) 381 457 5. Unevenness of fruit surface Absent or Medium to strong very weak 6. Insertion of achenes Level with Above the surface the surface 7. Attitude of calyx Spreading Spreading to reflexed 8. Plant size Medium Medium to large 9. Foliage color (upper surface) Medium to Medium to light green dark green 10. Petiole pubescence Sparce Moderate 11. Fruiting truss length (cm) 20.3 27.1 12. Fruiting truss pubescence Strong Medium

For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’, at various stages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘PREMIER’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ were taken in Ventura County, Calif., and are approximately 3 to 4 months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of typical leaf structure of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of November 2007.

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature fruit of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007.

FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘PREMIER’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new variety ‘PREMIER’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2007 growing season in Ventura County, Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PREMIER’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif. during late January 2007 and planted approximately 6 months later in Ventura County, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is 3 to 4 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2004 through 2007 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows the Munsell Book of Colors, Munsell Colors, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

The following tables 2-8 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘PREMIER’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597).

TABLE 2 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597) Color of mature fruit 7.5R 3/8 to 4/10 7.5R 4/8 to 3/8 Medium red Red Color of internal flesh 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 Medium red Medium red Length (cm) 4.5 4.7 Width (cm) 3.8 3.6 Ratio length/width 1.20 1.29 Slightly longer than Slightly longer than broad broad Calyx diameter (cm) 6.0 5.4 Average weight (gm) 24.7 20.7 Achene color 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 Ranges from medium Ranges from medium yellow to medium red yellow to medium red Achene weight (mg) 0.50 0.53 Achenes per berry 358 364 Marketable yield 381 457 (gm/plt) Fruit size Large Medium Predominant shape Ranges from conical to Ranges from conical to ovate wedged Difference in shapes None or very slight Moderate between primary and secondary fruit Band without achenes Absent or very narrow Absent or very narrow Unevenness of surface Absent or very weak Medium to strong Evenness of color Ranges from slightly Ranges from even to uneven to even slightly uneven Glossiness Ranges from medium Ranges from medium to to strong strong Insertion of achenes Level with the surface Above the surface Insertion of calyx In the basin Ranges from in the basin to level with the fruit Attitude of the calyx Spreading Ranges from spreading to reflexed Size of calyx in Much larger Slightly larger relation to fruit diameter Adherence of calyx Strong Weak Firmness of skin Medium Medium Firmness of flesh Medium Firm Distribution of red Marginal and central Marginal and central color of the flesh Hollow center Weak Ranges from strong to expression moderate Flavor Fair Fair to good Soluble solids (% brix) 7.4 7.7 Time of first flowering Medium Ranges from early to medium Time of first Medium Ranges from early to harvesting medium Harvest period Late September to mid Late September to mid December December Type of bearing Fully everbearing Fully everbearing

TABLE 3 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597) Height (cm) 20.6 26.4 Spread (cm) 35.3 35.8 Size Medium Ranges from medium to large Habit Globose Globose Density Medium Medium Vigor Medium Ranges from medium to strong

TABLE 4 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597) Average number 10.0 5.3 per plant Anthocyanin Ranges from weak Medium intensity to medium Anthocyanin 7.5R 4/8 to 5/8 7.5R 4/6 to 5/6 coloration Diameter at bract 3.8 3.3 (mm) Thick Ranges from medium to thick Pubescence Medium Strong

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597) Foliage: Color of upper 7.5GY 2/4 to 3/4 7.5GY 3/4 to 4/4 surface Ranges from medium to Ranges from light to dark green medium green Color of under 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 side Light grey green Light grey green Shape in cross Slightly concave Ranges from slightly section concave to flat Interveinal Medium Ranges from medium to blistering strong Glossiness Ranges from medium to Ranges from medium to strong strong Number of Three Three leaflets Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 8.3 10.3 Width (cm) 8.1 8.8 Length/width 1.02 1.18 ratio Serrations/leaf 22.8 22.9 Size Medium Ranges from medium to large Shape of base Obtuse Acute Shape of teeth Obtuse Obtuse Petiole: Petiole color 2.5GY 5/6 to 5/8 5GY 6/6 to 7/6 Medium yellow green Medium yellow green Length (cm) 12.0 13.9 Diameter (mm) 4.2 4.3 Petiolule color 2.5GY 5/6 to 5/8 5GY 6/6 to 7/6 Medium yellow green Medium yellow green Petiolule length 10.3 15.3 (mm) Pubescence Sparce Moderate Attitude of hairs Slightly outward Slightly outward Stipule: Color 2.5GY 5/6 to 6/6 2.5GY 5/6 to 6/6 Medium yellow green Medium yellow green Length (mm) 26.1 26.3 Width (mm) 12.3 9.2 Anthocyanin Medium Absent or very weak intensity Anthocyanin 10RP 4/8 to 4/10 10RP 5/6 to 5/8 color Red purple Red purple Length (cm) 20.3 27.1 Flower position Ranges from level with Level with the foliage relative to foliage to beneath the foliage Anthocyanin Medium Weak intensity Anthocyanin 10RP 4/8 to 5/8 10RP 5/6 to 6/6 color Red purple Red purple Pubescence Strong Medium Attitude at first Prostrate Prostrate pick

TABLE 6 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597) Length (cm) 20.3 27.1 Flower position Ranges from level with Level with the foliage relative to foliage to beneath the foliage Anthocyanin instensity Medium Weak Anthocyanin color 10RP 4/8 to 5/8 10RP 5/6 to 6/6 Red purple Red purple Pubescence Strong Medium Attitude at first pick Prostrate Prostrate

TABLE 7 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597) Petal color N 9.5/90.0% R to N 9.5/90.0% R to 9.25/84.2% R 9.25/84.2% R White White Corolla diameter 32.7 33.6 (mm) Calyx diameter 39.5 34.1 (mm) Petal length (mm) 12.8 13.0 Petal width (mm) 12.7 13.8 Petal length/width 1.01 0.95 ratio Petals/flower 5.4 6.5 Sepal color 5GY 3/6 to 4/6 5GY 4/4 to 4/6 Medium yellow green Medium yellow green Sepal length 15.6 12.3 (mm) Sepal width (mm) 7.1 4.4 Sepal 2.21 2.78 length/width ratio Sepals/flower 10.8 12.3 Size of calyx Larger Ranges from same size to relative to corolla larger Size of inner Smaller Smaller calyx relative to outer calyx Relative position Overlapping Overlapping of petals

TABLE 8 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597) Two spotted spider mite Moderately susceptible Moderately susceptible Lygus bug Susceptible Susceptible Flower thrips Moderately susceptible Moderately susceptible Powdery mildew Susceptible Susceptible Botrytis fruit rot Moderately susceptible Moderately susceptible Angular leaf spot Moderately susceptible Susceptible 

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘PREMIER’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 